Off to see the bloodsuckers today.
I’m going to give my regular blood samples, part of the constant monitoring of my blood pressure. The bloods will tell if my tablets are having an adverse effect in addition to the beneficial ones they are supposed to have.
Pretty low it seems. Especially in the Portsmouth area judging by this report in The News, Pompeys local paper.
“THIEVES raided an ambulance and stole the crew’s personal belongings while they attended a 999 call.”
Yet another example of the low state of British society.
Best Wishes – See You In The Pub
Shouldn’t this yob be sent to jail ?
Paul Rossie attacks an innocent passer-by, is given a suspended sentence by the court. Then the clown boasts about it on Facebook.
To me that has to be contempt of court and he should be re-arrested and jailed.
Although I won’t go into the whys and wherefores, I spent an hour or so with Becky, my granddaughter, up on Butser Hill earlier today. Although it was clear enough to see over to the Isle of Wight, down to Portsmouth marked by the Spinnaker Tower, down the Solent and way over to Southampton we just sat looking out over the Meon Valley with East Meon to the fore. The view from up there can rightly be described as breathtaking.
Currently there are no sheep, or cattle, on the hill so there are many wildflowers in bloom including Musk Thistle, Willowherb, Harebell and Wild Carrot. The scent of the latter drawing such a variety of insect life including flies, wasps and butterflies (blue & white) all busily gathering nectar. You will need to be quick though, if you want to see the flowers. A lady walking her dogs informed us that there may well be cattle moved onto the hillside soon. They will then be followed by natures lawn mowers, the sheep. She also told us about her two dogs, both border collies and both rescued dogs. The youngest had been beaten as a pup and was very cautious of people. Although neither of them was very cautious of young Becky they both steered clear of me.
That’s the nice thing about just sitting. Passers by will stop and talk to you. After the dog walker had moved on with a cheery “nice to have met you” she was followed by a formally dressed chap carrying a camera attached to a huge camouflaged lens. He wasn’t quite so talkative but did wish us a “Good Morning”. I assumed he was a twitcher, although he equally could have been a peeping tom. With a lens that large he could probably see into the bedrooms of the cottages in East Meon a couple of miles away. Really, just kidding. Moments later he was followed by his wife, assumption on my part,who was carrying a large rucksack.
From the hill the patchwork landscape was constantly changing, cloud shadows moving across the fields darkening then brightening with their passing. For a while we watched a Kestrel working below us. Soaring, hovering, swooping then hovering again while other birds, especially the skylarks, provided a musical backdrop calling on the breeze.
Occasionally we could hear the distant bleating of a flock of sheep and further over a herd of cattle were laying under the trees. Doesn’t that mean we can expect rain ? Although later on our way home we passed a herd of cattle, all stood up. Obviously they listened to a different weather forecaster.
As the cloud cover thickened, reluctantly, we had to call our visit to a halt due to someone being a little cold and hungry.
Who mentioned “cattle cake” ?
“The Last Resort” is an award-winning documentary about Southsea seafront made by Russell Oastler, David Kinnaird and Lucas Way as the final project of their degrees. Gentlemen I salute you and thank you for a marvellous piece of cinematography.
The film about the decline of Portsmouth as a traditional seaside resort struck a chord with me, having been a resident in the Portsmouth & Southsea area for over 40 years. For many years now I have thought that Southsea has looked tired and in need of something to revitalise the sea front area. This is a point of view that is reinforced by the film and explored through the eyes of some of the locals who have also seen it change.
The film, dedicated to 86-year-old Mrs Dorothy Browning who died during the making, can be viewed HERE
I was only saying to my wife on Saturday, while on a very rare visit to Commercial road, that it would be nice to see the fountain in full flood. It seems someone was eavesdropping or at the very least a fabulous coincidence.
The city council are apparently committed to renovating the fountain which has been turned off for several years. It was always a target for the mindless minority which plague our society. The idiots always found the addition of soap suds hilarious, oblivious to the dangers of losing a toddler in the froth and the potential for drowning. The fountain was also used, again by the minority, as a convenient rubbish bin. I know the council say they closed the fountain due to technical problems, leaks, whatever. I am sure that there was also an element of frustration at the social problems.
Portsmouth is an ancient city with an illustrious history but I have always thought that the commercial heart of the city was, to say the least, a bit bland. When Commercial Road was pedestrianized the whole feel of the city centre changed, became dull. To be quite honest you could be almost anywhere.
So I welcome the city councils efforts to reinstate the fountain. I just hope that the residents and visitors alike will appreciate it and treat it with respect when it is once more back in action.
A small glimmer of goodness to shine out of the gloom of the enormous housing estate, being built at Waterlooville, is the 150 year old farm which is going to be renovated.
In the middle of the 2500 home Newlands Estate lies Plant Farm which includes Grade II Listed buildings. The developers are planning to turn the farm into a pub and restaurant.
It’s a shame that it has taken the building of this humongous estate to bring the farm under the spotlight but at least now the vandalism and thieving of building materials will cease.
Lets hope that the renovation will be tastefully done.
Here we are, nearly 10:30 and it’s already 33 degC in the conservatory with all the doors and windows open. Forecast for this area is 24 degC today.
I am leaking like a sieve…no need to have a hose pipe ban. I reckon I can keep the reservoirs topped up all by my self.
Yup, Have a busy weekend in the offing.
With a fine forecast for Saturday we are having a B-B-Q so it will probably be wild, wet and windy. But never mind I can cope. After all who was it who had a B-B-Q on Boxing Day not so long ago. I can cremate food in almost any weather conditions
On Sunday we are having a bit of a family gathering in Sussex. A little bit like an American Supper but this will be more of an American Lunch. Descending on my aunt’s house, which is around the halfway point between our various homes, we will all be bearing food and drink. So I, with my wife, will get to have a grand old chinwag with my sisters, their partners and of course my aunt who has been elected to make the teas and coffees.
She in turn has also threatened to make a mystery “Lemon Bake”. Something that my youngest sister has warned me off.
We shall see !!!
WrAnTz 